Share this:

San Francisco 49ers’ Carlos Hyde (28) runs for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter of their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Hyde’s initial plan was to return against the Saints after last weekend’s bye and after sitting out an Oct. 23 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That still could come to fruition if he gains medical clearance for his sprained AC joint.

Mike Davis started in place of Hyde against the Bucs and managed 21 yards on seven carries. Coaches have said DuJuan Harris could see more action after debuting last game with 39 rushing yards and 18 receiving yards. Shaun Draughn, who started six games last season as Hyde’s replacement, has totaled only six carries over the past four games (22 yards).

Whoever gets the ball, he’ll be running against the league’s 18th-ranked run defense and one that’s missing two starting linebackers in James Laurinaitis and Dannell Ellerbe. Both were ruled out with quadriceps injuries.

— Defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey is projected to play despite a nagging knee that’s sidelined him for three games, including two of the past three. He was limited Wednesday and Thursday.

— Colin Kaepernick’s 84 rushing yards last game moved him up to 15th among the franchise’s all-time leading rushers (1,982 yards) and past Tom Rathman (1,902 yards). Charlie Garner ranks 14th (2,371 yards), and Ricky Watters is 13th (2,840 yards). The only quarterback with more rushing yards than Kaepernick is Hall of Famer Steve Young (9th; 3,581 yards).

— The 49ers special teams have lost a fumble in three straight games: Chris Davis, on a kickoff return against Arizona; Keshawn Martin on a kickoff return at Buffalo; and, Aaron Burbridge, when he ran into Jeremy Kerly on a punt return against Tampa Bay. Overall, the 49ers haven’t had a turnover-free game this season, and opponents have scored 59 of their 219 points off 49ers turnovers.

— Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, drafted 12th overall out of Louisville, is expected to make his NFL debut. He fractured the fibula in his left leg on the second day of training camp, Aug. 15.

— Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan, a sixth-year veteran out of Cal, has 2 1/2 sacks this season, one shy of Nick Fairley’s team lead. “Cam Jordan is one of the best defensive ends as far as all-around games,” left tackle Joe Staley said. “He plays the run really well. He’s not a one-trick pony. He’s a guy we really have to key on.” Jordan has never missed a game in his career.

— First-half leads have evaporated in five of the past six losses, and the 49ers haven’t led at halftime since their season-opening shutout of the Rams. Scoring has proven especially difficult in the third quarter, where the 49ers are being outscored 58-10.

— After going 4-4 at home their first two seasons at Levi’s Stadium, the 49ers are 1-3 there this year, with remaining visits by the Saints, New England Patriots (Nov. 20), New York Jets (Dec. 11) and Seattle Seahawks (Jan. 1).

— As part of their “Salute to Service” game, the 49ers will honor 150 U.S. Marines at halftime. Jets from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar will fly over the stadium while the national anthem is performed by U.S. Marine Skye Martin, who’ll also sing “God Bless America” at halftime.

SANTA CLARA – A second practice with the Denver Broncos in as many days will mark the official end of 49ers training camp Thursday. Here are the top three things to watch: 1. “Tackle” football. One of the biggest beneficiaries of these joint practices is right tackle Trent Brown, who’s getting tutored by All-Pro pass rusher Von Miller, a fan...